Rakitić thrilled at Sevilla Super Cup reunion

Set to face his former club in the 2015 UEFA Super Cup, FC Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitić tells UEFA.com about his excitement leading up to the Tbilisi showpiece, scoring in the UEFA Champions League final and what it means to take on his beloved Sevilla FC.

UEFA.com: You missed Sevilla's UEFA Super Cup appearance last season after signing for Barcelona. You must be looking forward to the occasion this time ...

Ivan Rakitić: On the one hand, yes, but it's also a little bittersweet. I have to thank my team-mates and club for giving me this chance. What I lost last season, I now have this year – and the desire is much greater as a result. I've had to wait another year for this moment. Starting the season, or having the possibility to start the season, with a trophy is even better. And it's sweeter still because it's against my Sevilla.

UEFA.com: What do Sevilla mean to you?

With the UEFA Europa League trophy©Sportsfile

Rakitić: Honestly, everything. Because when I say I'm going home, I mean I'm going to my house in Seville. That is where my wife is, where my daughter was born. So I have a very special connection, not just with the club, but with the city and all the people there.

UEFA.com: You have had some time to get used to being a UEFA Champions League winner. How does it feel?

Rakitić: I am very proud and very happy, especially because it came a year after Barcelona failed to win anything. I'm also delighted that I won the fans' confidence and the confidence of all the people at Barça.

This Super Cup had to be against Sevilla. This is a very special story. But we are Barça, we are playing for a trophy, and with all due respect to Sevilla we will play to win.

UEFA.com: Your goal in the UEFA Champions League final was the most important of your career. Talk us through it ...

The Croatian celebrates his goal in Berlin©Getty Images

Rakitić: Well, it was an impressive moment. We looked for the gap, made a lot of passes with plenty of movement, and I think it was a real Barça goal. To be able to be there, I must thank my team-mates for getting me into that situation.

UEFA.com: What was the key to winning the final in Berlin?

Rakitić: The most important thing is that we never changed our way of doing things. Even when you could see that at certain times the ball wasn't going where we wanted it to, we never lost our temper and said we should do things differently.

UEFA.com: How did it feel to lift the UEFA Champions League trophy?

Rakitić: It is lighter than the Europa League one! There are no words to explain how you feel. All footballers work hard to live that moment. That's the most important thing. Like I usually say, I don't like to dream, I like to live it and thank God I had this opportunity. Hopefully it will not be the last one.

Now watch: Ivan Rakitić picks his dream five-a-side team...